The (61) bespoke tailors I have known

October 30th 2024

  This article has been updated every four years for the past 12 years. It was originally written in 2012, and has had new versions in 2016, 2020 and now 2024. The number of bespoke tailors we have tried and covered has increased, but the g...

The (61) bespoke tailors I have known

Match in comments:
I don't, sorry...

October 30th 2024

Earthy, refined colours for summer: Biagio Granat...

July 12th 2019

Today is a lovely day in London (the day I write this, that is, July 3, not the day it’s published). Sunny, a light breeze, a few clouds drifting across the sky. It’s twenty-three degrees celcius. The kind of temperature where you can we...

Earthy, refined colours for summer: Biagio Granat...

Match in comments:
I have mine made with a light fusing, either a moderate spread or a button-down. However, whether the collar stands up or not will be just as much down to the cut of it - how high it is made at the front and back, and th...

Jackets - StyleJuly 12th 2019

Wearing a grey linen shirt – or the virtues...

October 28th 2016

A style post today, after several product and profile pieces in recent weeks. To break it down into bullets: I love grey shirts, primarily with navy suits or jackets as an alternative to white and blue. It feels urban and modern The problem is, wit...

Wearing a grey linen shirt – or the virtues...

Match in comments:
It would probably be too smart I would think...

StyleOctober 28th 2016

Grey shirts with grey suits, at Milan launch

May 5th 2015

Last week was the official launch of the Permanent Style book, with an event in Milan hosted by Vitale Barberis Canonico and A Caraceni. I was interviewed by the fashion editor of La Repubblica, Simone Marchetti, about my history and views on cont...

Grey shirts with grey suits, at Milan launch

Match in comments:
I like them, but as with lots of dark shirts, they aren't that versatile - they look in particular looks, worn particular ways...

Shirts - StyleMay 5th 2015

Clothes for a wedding

August 29th 2014

The simplicity of classic wedding attire – in colour, in pattern, in tone – is a reflection of respect for the importance of the event. Business attire, once-upon-a-time, was similarly restrained; but while I can see the argume...

Clothes for a wedding

Match in comments:
Thank you!...

StyleAugust 29th 2014

How to buy my first bespoke suit – reader q...

February 3rd 2014

Dear Simon, In a couple of months time I will be 21. This is clearly an important time in one’s life, in my case particularly as I will also be undertaking the purchase of my first bespoke suit. As a regular reader of your blog I’...

How to buy my first bespoke suit – reader q...

Match in comments:
Thanks Sam, great update, and great knowing how timeless this advice has been...

Reader questions - ShoesFebruary 3rd 2014

How to dress in hot weather

July 25th 2013

The remarkable heat in London over the past two weeks has led to a few questions from readers as to the best way to stay cool in tailoring. Here are my top five tips. 1 Wear linen Linen is a wonderful cloth: breathable and cool to the touch. Although...

How to dress in hot weather

Match in comments:
I think you'll be fine, but if in doubt, try to try one on somewhere first...

StyleJuly 25th 2013

Royal warrant holders at the Coronation Festival

July 15th 2013

This past weekend saw the Coronation Festival in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, at which holders of royal warrants exhibited. The royal warrant is not exactly the mark of quality that some might assume, given that it includes Austin Reed and Daks...

Royal warrant holders at the Coronation Festival

Match in comments:
The latter is more accurate. But K&H are also not really saying they can do anything at all. All adaptation has its limits....

July 15th 2013

The BTBA summer party

July 8th 2013

Friday was the Bespoke Tailors’ Benevolent Association (BTBA, new version of MTBA) summer ball. As per usual there was an eclectic range of outfits, from sober business dress to top hats, cream linen to sequins. Three Anderson & Shep...

The BTBA summer party

Match in comments:
No, I'm afraid not. It looks very similar to my W Bill linen though: http://www.permanentstyle.com/2014/07/spanish-tailors.html...

July 8th 2013

Profile piece in How to Spend It, Spain

January 25th 2013

The Spanish version of How to Spend It, Fueria de Serie, interviewed me and did a photo shoot when I visited Jose Maria’s Club Aristocrata last year. The piece came out today. Unless your Spanish is a lot better than mine, you won’...

Profile piece in How to Spend It, Spain

Match in comments:
The lead times on things like this are quite long I'm afraid. If Drake's are offering it at Pitti now, it means it will be in the shop this autumn. If you are in doubt about the tie pin, try just using it on woven ties. ...

StyleJanuary 25th 2013

Kent Haste & Lachter linen suit

July 20th 2012

Trying to look natural while eating. Which is impossible The linen suit shown here is my most recent commission, from the sterling outfit that is now Kent Haste & Lachter. There is a blog; there is a group photo on the wall; there is a real ...

Kent Haste & Lachter linen suit

Match in comments:
Only that this article was a very long time ago! I didn't always do those kinds of reviews...

SuitsJuly 20th 2012

Kent Haste & Lachter relocate

September 29th 2011

The paint isn’t dry and Stephen is apparently fishing for salmon in the basement, but Kent Haste & Lachter have finally moved to their new premises, at 7 Sackville Street. Next door to Meyer & Mortimer and where Fallan &am...

Kent Haste & Lachter relocate

The paint isn’t dry and Stephen is apparently fishing for salmon in the basement, but Kent Haste & Lachter have finally moved to their new premises, at 7 Sackville Street. Next door to Meyer & Mortimer and where Fallan...

September 29th 2011

Kent Haste & Lachter in The Rake

July 17th 2011

The latest issue of The Rake includes a longer feature than Permanent Style readers will have seen on Kent, Haste & Lachter: The joker of the pack Legendary cutter John Kent, now joined by Terry Haste and Stephen Lachter in a new establish...

Kent Haste & Lachter in The Rake

Match in comments:
Simon - Could you please give some more info and contact details for Eric Cook? Thanks, george...

July 17th 2011

The stories of Kent Haste & Lachter

November 18th 2010

So many stories. There’s the one about Bing Crosby, who signed every one of John Kent’s golf club covers (they were leather back then) with warm wishes that got shorter and shorter as he made his way through the set. The one about Frank S...

The stories of Kent Haste & Lachter

Match in comments:
Hi, In my experience the work of Sean and Stephen doesn't vary that much, no. I would probably lean towards Sean in fact. Could I suggest that you try a Neapolitan maker like Satriano Cinque before making such an investm...

November 18th 2010

Final suit from Toby Luper

September 29th 2010

The last post on this suit was back in March. With both of us being away at various points in the summer, and Toby’s schedule coming down to London from Leeds, we only managed the final fitting in August. As I had mentioned in a previous post, ...

Final suit from Toby Luper

Match in comments:
Sure, sorry guys was actually planning to do so for this post but ran out of time. Expect some later in the week. Simon...

SuitsSeptember 29th 2010